The Two Sides of the Law: See How They Compare

DEFENSE * VS. PROSECUTION "Whose side are you on, anyway?" See what the difference is between a defense and prosecuting attorney, from job description, education, salary, recommended caseload famous examples of each. * Defense Attorney * * Prosecuting Attorney * Works for an individual or Works for an individual or government, representing the accused government, filing charges against an accused individual or corporation Education, Education Undergraduate Study Undergraduate Study 4 YEARS ZZ88: 4 YEARS ZZZ8 Law School Law School 3 YEARS ZZZ 3 YEARS ZZZ BAR EXAM BAR EXAM V Average Salary , Average Salary , Self-employed/solo practitioner City attorneys Between $110,590 and $200,000 Between $25,000 and $247,823 Public defenders District attorneys Between $32,000 and $102,222 Between $41,269 and $151,297 State attorneys Between $19,630 and $45,411 Caseload , Public defenders not to exceed 150 Caseload , felonies per year cannot to exceed = 10 felonies 400 150 misdemeanors felonies per year per year = 10 felonies = 20 misdemeanors 200 300 misdemeanors juvenile court cases per year per year - 20 misdemeanors - 20 juvenile court cases Pop Culture , 200 Mental Health Vinny Gambini Act cases per year - 20 Mental Health Act case My Cousin Vinny and 25 appeals per year Pop Culture , Maggie Lizer Atticus Finch Arrested Development To Kill a Mockingbird 7" 6" Matlock O 5' 4' General Stats There are 200+ law schools approved by the American Bar Association 200+ ' = 10 Law Schools 45 of 50 Female lawyers earn 77 cents for every dollar male lawyers earn states require lawyers to maintain legal education $1..00 $.77 every 1 or 3 years 22% of lawyers are self-employed 53% 47% 22% of law students of law students of law students are male are female are minorities SOURCES http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/marketresearch/PublicDocuments/abalawyerdemographics2012.authcheckdam.pdf http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Lawyers.htm#tab-2 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Lawyers.htm#tab-3 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Lawyers.htm#tab-4 http://www.catalyst.org/publication/246/women-in-law-in-the-us http://www.ndaa.org/pdf/How%20Many%20Cases.pdf http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=City_Attorney/Salary http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=District_Attorney/Salary http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=The_State_Attorney%27s_Office/Salary https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/185632.pdf http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Lawyers. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Public_Defender/Salary %24